The New York Times Says Workers Prefer to Communicate Via Instant Messaging

What Geeky Way Do You Prefer to Communicate at Work?

In any office, it's important to communicate with each other, but we've come a long way from the old days, when your boss would sidle up to your desk and scare you. Now, we have the luxury of emailing each other, instant messaging, leaving voice mails — for better or worse. As passive aggressive as this non-face-to-face chitchat can sometimes be, I think it gives us the chance to talk more and more often with our colleagues and superiors (generally a good thing).

The New York Times reports that people prefer to communicate via instant message at work, due to its quickness and efficiency. From an office that depends on instant messaging for day-to-day communication, I agree — it's my favorite way to communicate at work. What's yours?

My bff in time wasting is now in a satellite office, and we set up the office IM so we're just as often sharing random thoughts throughout the day - both work related and not. It is amazing. Also, my other favorite in my office is in the exact opposite corner, and I can only drop by so often w/o going to the bathroom or break room before ppl notice I'm totally avoiding work and visiting her.

one of the perks of working at a dotcom is being able to use IM daily w/o having to look over my shoulder. Especially since my partners are constantly on IMs.
Great industry to be in since I'm an IM-o-holic.
If not IM, then email.

In my company we have two onsite techs and two people in the office. We use iChat and email to communicate. Occasionally TM as well. I rarely make a phone call as clients get weird about us being on the phone.

I don't work in an office (I'm a high school teacher), and since the time that I can communicate with others is very limited (6 minutes between classes, and 5th period prep), I usually email. We don't have texting or IMing ability within our district network (though I figured out gtalk is a workaround so that I can chat with family and friends during lunch time). But, by emailing, it allows the other person to respond on his or her own time.

I wish we had IM, but the powers that be are a little afraid of technology. It took us up until last week just to get voicemail and there was actually a company sponsored day in which internal email was banned because they are concerned that we're losing our "personal touch". :oy: That was the most frustrating day ever.

I prefer email. You can respond when you're ready. No need to return a phonecall or let someone sit forever on im empty.
My biggest pet peeve? That people email you and then come and sit at your desk waiting for an answer. Why go to all of the trouble? I will reply, silly.
yadiet - have you ever tried digsby? It's not as cool and integrated into firefox as meebo, but it does integrate with facebook chat and tweeter too. Anyway, I love it!